Tigers of Baranxtu

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Baranxtu is home to three subspecies of tiger, two of which are native to the country. They are all not listed as endangered as stern laws against tiger hunting have been in place for centuries due to their important role in Ēmandē.

Species in Baranxtu

Doristan Tiger

The Doristan Tiger (Panthera tigris doristiensis) is one of the two subspecies of tiger native to the republic of Baranxtu. They play an important role in the religion of the native people of Dorista.

Appearance
Unlike many other tiger subspecies, males and females display no significant difference in size. Males reach up to 2.7m in length and females up to 2.6m. With about 150kg, males are slightly heavier than females with who weigh about 140kg.
Their short fur is usually of dark or reddish orange color and their stripes are rather blurred.

Behavior
Like almost all tigers (except for the Baranxtuan Tiger), the Doristan Tiger is a solitary animal. Cubs leave their mother approximately when they turn 2, with daughters staying longer than sons.

The Doristan Tiger is crepuscular, spending most of the day napping and grooming itself and the nights sleeping. They can, however, also be seen on the hunt in bright nights (usually around the time of a full moon) or on cloudy days.

Hunting and Diet
Doristan Tigers are solely carnivorous like all felines.
They hunt a large variety of other species, but deer and fish are their most common prey. As excellent swimmers, they can catch relatively large fish. There have even been two reports of a Doristan Tiger catching a Musk Pike, albeit they were still young with a length of ~70cm and ~90cm, respectively.

Habitat
As their name suggests, they are most prominent in Dorista, although they can also be found in Abasina, Qiru, Ñiria, northern Ziaha and southern Bari Nazer.

They prefer a warm, humid climate and are primarily forest dwelling, although they can be seen hunting in meadows where grass grows high enough to provide them with enough coverage during their hunt.

Status
Estimates of the number of Doristan Tigers living in the wild vary between 6000 and 8000 individuals. They are not listed as endangered, but as they fall under the Tiger Protection Laws, their hunting remains illegal, although some industrial lobbies have repeatedly urged the government to lift that ban.

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A Halaoran Tiger reclining next to the remnants of an old shack somewhere in the Halaoran mountains.
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Halaoran Tiger

The Halaoran Tiger (Panthera tigris halaorica) is one of the two native tiger subspecies in Baranxtu. They are sacred to the Halani and to the Baranxtuans.

Appearance
The Halaoran Tiger's appearance is rather unique as they are the only subspecies of tiger that only produces white tigers. This is seen as an adaption to the snowy climate that is the home of the Halaoran Tiger. Additionally to that, they have a rather long coat protecting them against the cold.

Males usually reach between 2.7m and 2.9m in length and weigh between 150kg and 170kg. Females are somewhat smaller, growing to about 2.4m-2.7m in length, weighing between 120kg and 140kg.

Behavior
Female Halaoran Tigers often live in pairs of sisters, caring for each others children and defending the common territory against invaders. Males, however, are always solitary.

These female pairs cohabitate usually in a common cave where they sleep and raise their young. Often one of the two "babysits" the others' young while they are out hunting.
Male cubs leave their mothers at the age of 2, whereas females stay with them until they can leave with another sister (usually, a new formed pair consists of a tigress aged 3 and one aged 2).

During the winter, Halaoran Tigers are mostly diurnal whereas in the summer, they can be seen hunting at any time.

Hunting and Diet
These true carnivors hunt down a large variety of animals, basically any they can find. Their most common prey, however, are the Halaoran Giant Hare and various species of deer.

All Halaoran Tigers, whether male or female, are solitary hunters, although females have been known to share their kill with their partner as well as her cubs.

Habitat
Halaoran Tigers are endemic to the Halaoran Mountains and can be found in the Baranxtuan provinces Halaora and Leumena as well as along the northern border of Jonquiere-Tadoussac.

They live only in mountainous areas where the onset of winter is relatively early, allowing them good camouflage throughout a large part of the year.
Although often called "Predators of the Snow Fields", they are mostly active well below tree-line where most of their prey lives. As a matter of fact, during winter, they often venture down into areas where temperatures are more temperate. They can, however, still hunt effiecently in a height of about 2,200m if need be.

Status
Their number is estimated to be 2,200-2,600, but this may be higher as recent sightings gave more credence to the theory that their habitat may actually extend farther north into the Unclaimed Lands of the IDU.

In Baranxtu and Jonquiere-Tadoussac, the hunting of Halaoran Tigers is strictly prohibited and thus, their population in these countries will probably remain stable. Poaching in the unclaimed territories, however, may pose a serious threat to the Halaoran Tigers in these areas.

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The tigress Naura holds the highest position of all Baranxtuan Tigers living in capitvity in the Royal Gardens.
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Baranxtuan Tiger

The Baranxtuan Tiger (Panthera tigris baranchtuca) exhibits a number of features commonly not associated with tigers, including the unusual sexual dimorphism, their social behavior and their adaptability to a life close to humans. They are still considered a subspecies of tigers, though, as they can successfully mate with other tigers and produce fertile offspring.

Appearance
Generally, female Baranxtuan Tigers are larger than the males. Whereas female can reach up to 2.6m in length and weigh about 140kg, males on grow to be about 2.4m long and weigh 120kg.
Their fur is usually rather short, but thick, with often blurry stripes. The color of their back ranges from a dark orange to a reddish brown.

Behavior
Unlike most tigers - who are solitary animals - Baranxtuan Tigers often live in small groups of up to 10 animals, usually a female with her daughters (and sometimes granddaughters). Males are only tolerated during the mating season and as cubs until they reach 2 years of age, after which they are chased away.
The territory of such a pride can cover between 40km2 and 300km2, depending on size of the pride and availability of prey. Males, who always live solitary, usually do not have territories larger than 50km2. When prey is abundant, they are allowed to have their territory in the larger territory of a pride.

Baranxtuan Tigers reach sexual maturity when about 3 years old and mate once a year. Usually, they do not bear more than two cubs, but one cub is actually more common. They are raised by the whole pride, but only suckled by their mothers. Interestingly, more females survive their first year than males.

The pride is not as strictly organized as that of other social animals, suggesting a rather recent development. All females may mate, and when the pride gets too big, a few may simply leave or at least resort to another part of the territory.
Within a pride, the mother is the central individual of the group. When she dies, her daughters fight to take her place or simply disband, depending on whether or not they currently have any cubs to raise.
The territory of a pride has one central place where they sleep, drink, give birth and raise their young. This is also the common place where most social interactions take place.
Members of a pride defend each other and share their meat with all young, although each is still a solitary hunter.

Hunting and Diet
Like all felines, Baranxtuan Tigers are carnivores. Their diet only consists of meat, and as such, like all tigers, they are excellent hunters, although they will resort to carrion if they have to.

Despite their relatively complex social life, they do not hunt in groups.
Usually, they ambush their prey, then jump it and kill it with a single bite. Normally, they eat part of the kill right where they hunted it down, and take the remnants to the central place of the pride where the rest is shared with the others, and most importantly, with the cubs.

Habitat
Baranxtuan Tigers were originally native to the Southern Plains of the kingdom of Baranxtu and surrounding countries. They prefer dense forests with a lot of freshwater, plenty of which can be found in the kingdom.
Baranxtuan settlers brought them to what was to become the republic of Baranxtu first in 1704 as pet animals in the gardens of the temple district of Baranxtu. In the following decades, some individuals escaped into the wild, whereas some where intentionally released. They established a small and stable population in Bari Nazer where conditions close to their homeland can be found.
They are not seen as an invasive species as they do not really compete with the native tiger species and also do not really disturb the rest of the native wildlife who seems to have effectively naturalized the Baranxtuan Tigers.

Status
Approximately 460 individuals live in Bari Nazer, with 58 registered prides. These numbers have remained rather steady since registration began in 1954.

Additionally to the wild tigers, 65 Baranxtuan Tigers are kept in the Royal Gardens. The most famous is Naura, the mother the pride in Ωn-Baranxiž. She is also seen as the current spiritual incarnation of Baranxi's companion Zihena, the first of all tigers.

Protection

All forms of tiger hunting are outlawed under Baranxtuan law. Trespassing can be punished with life sentences in prison, and due to these harsh laws, poaching is minimal. The last time these laws were enacted was in 1995 when three hunters shot and wounded one tiger (he was nursed back to health and released back into the wild); all three were sentenced to life terms in prison, and none of their appeals so far was granted.

Although criticized as a remnant of the theocracy of Baranxtu, these strict laws have helped to protect the status of the tigers in Baranxtu.

Cultural Significance

In Baranxtuan Religion

Tigers belong to the sacred animals of Baranxtuan religion and thus are sacrosanct. They may not be harmed or killed (including sacrifice), and doing so is still considered one of the major sins in the religion. The only exception would be with a tiger attacking a person.

The deity most closely associated with the tiger is Baranxi himself, who is said to have created all felines and thus, they are all holy to him. However, the common cat and the tiger are seen as his two most loyal companions. He is usually depicted with the tigress Zihena standing next to him and with the cat Sami on his shoulder.

In Baranxtuan Religion, tigers symbolize faith, piety and strength. Traditionally, they were found on murals of temples and in the mansions of the nobility, but today they are a popular motive on virtually everything.

In Maran Religion

The Maran people also revere the tiger as a fierce and courageous warrior. They are seen as descendants of the god of war Hea Ageo and thus may not be harmed in any way. In earlier times, trespassers were hanged upside-down on a tree.

Tigers are also a common motive in Maran architecture, sculpture and painting. In the Riatena Shrine alone, more than 1,200 depictions of tigers have been found in murals, as sculptures and as heads of spouters.

The Doristan Tiger was also the emblem of the army of Hantis until its ultimate defeat in 1879.